Iverhart Max

Caution: Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Description

Iverhart Max ® Chewable Tablets is a combination of three anthelmintics (ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel). The tablets are available in four sizes in color-coded packages for oral administration to dogs according to their weight (see Dosage).

Indications

For use in dogs to prevent canine heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection and for the treatment and control of roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense), and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis).

Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets are recommended for dogs 8 weeks of age and older. For dogs over 100 lbs, use the appropriate combination of these Chewable Tablets.

Administration

Remove only one tablet at a time from the foil-backed blister card. Return the remaining tablets to their box to protect the product from light. Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets can be offered to the dog by hand or be added intact to a small amount of dog food. Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and the dog should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended.

Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's last exposure to mosquitoes.

When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease prevention program, the first dose of Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication. A heartworm test should be performed prior to switching heartworm preventive products.

If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the tablet must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.

Warning

For use in dogs only. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. In safety studies, testicular hypoplasia was observed in some dogs receiving 3 and 5 times the maximum recommended dose monthly for 6 months (see Animal Safety).

In case of ingestion by humans, clients should be advised to contact a physician immediately. Physicians may contact a Poison Control Center for advice concerning cases of ingestion by humans.

For a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), or to report adverse reactions, call 1-800-338-3659.

Precautions

Use with caution in sick, debilitated, or underweight animals and dogs weighing less than 10 lbs (see Animal Safety). The safe use of this drug has not been evaluated in pregnant or lactating bitches.

All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets, which are not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs should be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a heartworm prevention program.

While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets at the recommended dose level, Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets are not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae.

In clinical field trials with ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of ivermectin: depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation.

Effectiveness

Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets, given orally using the recommended dose and regimen, are effective against the tissue larval stage of D. immitis for a month (30 days) after infection and, as a result, prevent the development of the adult stage. Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets are also effective against canine roundworms (T. canis, T. leonina), hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense), and tapeworms (T. pisiformis, D. caninum).

A total of 61 dogs and puppies with naturally acquired or experimental parasite infections treated with Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets were enrolled in 7 well-controlled laboratory studies to establish effectiveness. These studies included dogs of various sizes, ages and breeds. Data from these studies demonstrated Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets are safe and effective for the removal of the parasite species indicated on the label when used as directed.

Palatability

In a field trial, Iverhart Max was shown to be a palatable oral dosage form for dogs.

Animal Safety

Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level of 6 mcg/kg) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. No signs of toxicity were seen at 10 times the recommended dose (27.2 mcg/lb) in sensitive Collies. Results of these studies and bioequivalence studies support the safety of ivermectin products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended by the label.

In a target animal safety study, Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets were administered to 8-week-old Beagle puppies at one, three and five times the maximum recommended dose of 12.5 mcg/kg ivermectin, 10.47 mg/kg pyrantel and 10.47 mg/kg praziquantel. The dogs were treated every 30 days for 6 months. Vomiting within 6 hours of dosing and soft or watery feces within 24 hours of dosing were observed. Other observations during the study were: anogenital swelling, lethargy, head movements, shallow, audible or difficult breathing, and salivation. One dog in the 5X group had tremors and decreased activity. All these signs were transient. No treatment was required. Pathology showed testicular hypoplasia in the 3 and 5X groups (see Warnings).

In a laboratory safety study, 12-week-old Beagle puppies receiving 3 and 5 times the recommended dose once weekly for 13 weeks demonstrated a dose-related decrease in testicular maturation compared to controls. In this study, all treated puppies had significantly higher cholesterol levels compared to untreated controls.

In a reproductive safety study, adult males were treated at 37.5 mcg/kg ivermectin, 31.4 mg/kg pyrantel and 31.4 mg/kg praziquantel every 14 days during two full spermatogenic cycles (112 days). The quality of semen and reproductive health were not affected by treatment. Treatment-related vomiting and soft feces were reported during this study.

In a study of the effectiveness of Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets for treatment of T. canis, one 8.1 lb, 72-day-old puppy died 6 days after administration of Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets at the label dose. This puppy and many of the other puppies in the study had high worm burdens and were reported to have diarrhea, sometimes bloody, frequently before and after treatment with Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets or the placebo. Dehydration and signs of anemia (pale mucous membranes) were the only abnormal gross necropsy findings observed. No definitive cause of death was determined. In a 90-day field study, the most serious ADEs (lethargy, limpness, and salivation) were seen in dogs weighing less than 10 lbs (see Precautions).

Storage Information

How Supplied

Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets are available in four dosage strengths (see dosage section) for dogs of different weights. Each strength comes in a box of 6 chewable tablets and in a box of 12 chewable tablets, packed 10 boxes per display box.

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